Research, Statistics, & Policy Analysis

Distributional Effects of Raising the Social Security Taxable Maximum

As of 2009, Social Security's Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program limits the amount of annual earnings subject to taxation at $106,800, and this value generally increases annually based on changes in the national average wage index. This brief uses Modeling Income in the Near Term (MINT) projections to compare the distributional effects of four options for raising the maximum taxable earnings amount beyond its scheduled levels. Two of the options would raise this value so that it covers 90 percent of all covered earnings and two would remove the maximum completely. Within each set of options, the proposals are differentiated by whether the new taxable amounts are used in computing benefits. Most workers would not be affected by these proposals, but some higher earners would experience a substantial increase in taxes. Correspondingly, benefit increases are largely isolated to higher earners, although the return in benefits for taxes paid would also decline. Because the proposals are targeted toward high earners, Social Security's progressivity would increase.

SSI Monthly Statistics, June 2009

These monthly tables provide statistics for federally administered payments and awards under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The statistics include the number of people who receive payments (by eligibility category and age), the type of payment they receive (federal payment only, state supplementation only, or both), and the amount of the monthly payment (total and average).

Access Restrictions and Confidentiality Protections in the Health and Retirement Study

Organizations involved in statistical surveys of human subjects face two important and competing challenges: protecting data confidentiality while maximizing data accessibility to potential researchers. This note examines how the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), conducted by the Institute for Social Research of the University of Michigan, attempts to balance data confidentiality with the desire to broaden the pool of potential data users. Current HRS procedures are summarized and compared with those of organizations with similar programs, and potential ways to expand HRS use without compromising confidentiality are discussed.

Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2008

Since 1956, the Social Security program has provided cash benefits to people with disabilities. This annual report provides program and demographic information about the people who receive those benefits—disabled workers, disabled widow(er)s, and disabled adult children. The basic topics covered are beneficiaries in current payment status; benefits awarded, withheld, and terminated; geographic distributions; Social Security beneficiaries who receive Supplemental Security Income; and the income of disabled beneficiaries.

International Update, July 2009

This monthly publication covers recent developments in foreign private and public pensions, social security, and retirement.

Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security, 2009

This annual booklet highlights data on the most important aspects of the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs—the people they serve and the benefits they provide.

Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 69 No. 2

Includes articles on:

• Measurement Issues Associated with Using Survey Data Matched with Administrative Data from the Social Security Administration
• Retiring in Debt? Differences between the 1995 and 2004 Near-Retiree Cohorts
• Introduction and Overview of the 2009 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds
• The Story of the Social Security Number
• Tribute to John "Jack" Carroll